PHARMACISTS in NSW will be able to administer privately funded diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa) vaccines, as well as the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and influenza immunisations from 01 Jan 2019 (PD breaking news).
The move, which will also see the minimum patient age for pharmacist vaccination drop to 16, was announced overnight by NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
Barilaro said "people tell us access to a GP can be difficult at times when you live in the city, country or on the coast, so expanding pharmacy vaccinations gives people more choice".
However doctors have opposed the move, with Australian Medical Association NSW President Kean-Sean Lim saying it would further fragment healthcare.
David Heffernan, President of the NSW Branch of the Pharmacy Guild, hailed the "sensible" move, saying the inclusion of the whooping cough vaccine was especially beneficial for grandparents, carers of young children and partners of pregnant women, ahead of having contact with newborn infants.
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